Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Mac & Cheese Crunch Cakes

















*Baked Macaroni & Cheese is prepared in advance

For Macaroni & Cheese - You will need:
1 Cup of Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
1 Cup of Shredded Mild Cheddar
1/2 Cup of either Shredded Gruyère or Extra Sharp Cheese
6 Tbsps. Butter
6 Tbsps. Flour
1 Box of Penne Pasta
1-1/2 Cups of Milk
1/2 cup of Chopped Basil or Parsley
Salt & Pepper (to taste)

Make entire box of pasta and place in boiling and salted water and cook until al dente. Rinse (to prevent further cooking), drain and set asideIn a medium saucepan over low-medium heat, melt the butter and then add the flour whisking together for a few minutes. Add milk slowly while whisking and allow milk to heat up (but not boil)...slowly add the 3 cheeses and stir every couple minutes until cheese is melted. Add Salt (to taste) and pepper (pinch or two).

Gradually add in chopped basil or parsley.

In a 13x9 glass baking dish, pour the pasta in the dish and gently pour the cheese sauce over the pasta. Baked at 350 for about 20 minutes.When the Macaroni & Cheese is baked, remove from oven, cover with foil and place in fridge until cooled. Take the cooled Macaroni & Cheese dish and cut into 3" squares and set the squares aside on wax paper.

Prepare the coating mixture - You will need:
1 Cup of All Purpose Flour
2 Eggs (slightly beaten)
2 tsps. baking soda
Pinch of salt
Enough water to thin the batter

Blend all ingredients together with a whisk and add enough water to just make it a semi-thick consistency. In a seperate bowl, pour in one (1) box of Kikkoman Bread Crumbs. Take one Mac & Cheese square and dunk into batter mixture, coating thoroughly. Transfer to bowl of bread crumbs and press bread crumbs into the square - gently shake off excess and place onto wax paper.

In a deep fryer with vegetable oil, allow oil to heat up and then add the Mac & Cheese squares GENTLY into the hot oil. Cook until golden brown and serve immediately with marinara sauce for dipping! (If the squares are cut thick, fry them until golden brown and immediately transfer them to a 400 degree oven (on a cookie sheet) for approximately 10 minutes to allow thorough heating before serving)

Bon Appetite!

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